Charity worker, 90, faces jail for feeding the homeless

Tuesday, November 11th, 2014

An American charity worker and two pastors face jail and fines for feeding the homeless at a Florida beachfront park.

But 90-year-old Arnold Abbott, who runs the Love Thy Neighbour organisation, has vowed to continue the beachfront feedings at Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale’s city authority passed a new ordinance last month which tightens restrictions on the homeless as a way to move them from public parks and streets.

Mr Abbott was cited for violating the ordinance on November 2 at a park and again last Wednesday at the beach.

“We can feed 200 people in 45 minutes,” Mr Abbott said on Sunday in a live television broadcast in which he faced off with city mayor Jack Seiler.

Penalties for violating the ordinance include up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

While Mr Abbott said he would move his feeding operations on Sundays to a local church, he vowed to continue the Wednesday beachfront feedings.

“It’s a beautiful thing to watch,” said Mr Abbott of the beach feedings.

“It’s the most gorgeous place. They enjoy the beach, with the same comforts as anyone else.

“So we feel very strongly that that’s important.”

A World War II veteran, Mr Abbott has several programmes, including a culinary school to train the homeless and help find them jobs in local kitchens.

He started this work 23 years ago to honour his late wife.

Mayor Seiler said he thinks Mr Abbott and pastors Dwayne Black and Mark Sims have good intentions, but the city can’t discriminate in enforcing the law.

He stressed that the city was working with local charities to help serve the homeless through indoor feedings and programmes that get them medical care and long-term help.

“The parks have just been overrun and were inaccessible to locals and businesses,” Mr Seiler said.

Fort Lauderdale is the latest of 30 US cities in the last two years to pass restrictions on feeding homeless people in public places.

Harsh winters have driven homeless US people south, especially to Florida.

In 1999, Mr Abbott won a legal battle over feeding the homeless.

He said he is prepared to go to court again.

Sources